WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:27.219 C.S. Lewis said, if I find in myself desires which nothing in this world can satisfy, the only logical explanation is that I was made for another world. 00:00:27.219 --> 00:00:27.660 ! 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:47.200 O God, you made us for yourself and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in you. 00:00:48.659 --> 00:00:57.219 I think those two quotes by C.S. Lewis and Augustine capture the affectional pulse beat of the Christian life. 00:00:57.219 --> 00:01:02.219 Longing for another world, longing for God. 00:01:03.119 --> 00:01:08.280 And different parts of the Bible bring out this in a vivid and intense way. 00:01:08.280 --> 00:01:15.379 The pulse beat for heaven, the pulse beat for God is always there in the Bible. 00:01:16.019 --> 00:01:19.200 But in some parts it's more pronounced than in others. 00:01:20.260 --> 00:01:22.000 It's a bit like our own pulse beat. 00:01:22.099 --> 00:01:23.099 It's always there. 00:01:23.719 --> 00:01:26.340 But in some moments in our lives it's more pronounced. 00:01:26.340 --> 00:01:33.240 Like after you've exerted yourself you can feel the blood pumping through your veins. 00:01:34.240 --> 00:01:36.939 Well, certain parts of the Bible are like that. 00:01:37.380 --> 00:01:43.680 They bring out the human longing for another world, for God, in a vivid and intense way. 00:01:43.680 --> 00:01:47.560 Just think of the Genesis account of the patriarchs. 00:01:48.080 --> 00:01:49.500 They all lived in tents. 00:01:51.300 --> 00:01:55.480 Abraham is called to leave his home and go to a country not his own. 00:01:55.680 --> 00:01:57.540 God's promised land in Canaan. 00:01:57.960 --> 00:02:00.280 And when he gets there, what do we find him doing? 00:02:01.320 --> 00:02:02.440 Living in a tent. 00:02:02.439 --> 00:02:05.799 And he never changes his abode. 00:02:06.480 --> 00:02:09.819 Till the day he died, Abraham lived in a tent. 00:02:11.180 --> 00:02:12.879 Same with Isaac and Jacob. 00:02:13.020 --> 00:02:14.199 They both lived in tents. 00:02:15.020 --> 00:02:18.340 Here was this land of Edenic-like paradise. 00:02:18.579 --> 00:02:22.659 And none of the patriarchs ever put a spade into the ground. 00:02:23.800 --> 00:02:25.560 None of them ever built foundations. 00:02:26.539 --> 00:02:28.879 They only ever pitched a tent. 00:02:28.879 --> 00:02:33.479 The book of Hebrews chapter 11 captures it well. 00:02:33.900 --> 00:02:37.259 By faith Abraham went to live in the land of promise. 00:02:37.759 --> 00:02:39.099 As in a foreign land. 00:02:39.639 --> 00:02:40.819 Living in tents. 00:02:41.960 --> 00:02:43.240 With Isaac and Jacob. 00:02:43.419 --> 00:02:45.340 Heirs with him of the same promise. 00:02:45.960 --> 00:02:50.259 For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations. 00:02:50.900 --> 00:02:53.979 Whose designer and builder is God. 00:02:54.579 --> 00:02:58.719 Do you see how the writer shows the patriarchs faith in action? 00:02:59.620 --> 00:03:00.900 They lived in tents. 00:03:02.479 --> 00:03:02.879 Why? 00:03:03.439 --> 00:03:05.780 Because they saw themselves as strangers. 00:03:06.000 --> 00:03:07.620 As pilgrims on the earth. 00:03:08.219 --> 00:03:10.039 And why did they view themselves like this? 00:03:10.500 --> 00:03:12.699 Because they were looking for another city. 00:03:13.180 --> 00:03:15.199 Whose maker and builder was God. 00:03:15.319 --> 00:03:17.599 They lived loosely to this world. 00:03:18.099 --> 00:03:19.139 And to this life. 00:03:19.840 --> 00:03:21.599 Just think of when Sarah dies. 00:03:22.039 --> 00:03:25.419 And Abraham has to purchase a bit of land from the Hittites. 00:03:25.680 --> 00:03:26.780 For her grave. 00:03:26.900 --> 00:03:27.659 What does he say? 00:03:27.659 --> 00:03:30.939 I am a sojourner. 00:03:31.659 --> 00:03:33.500 And a stranger among you. 00:03:34.079 --> 00:03:35.900 So can I please buy a bit of land. 00:03:36.419 --> 00:03:37.599 To bury my wife. 00:03:38.659 --> 00:03:40.460 How long had he been living in the land? 00:03:41.439 --> 00:03:43.000 62 years. 00:03:44.359 --> 00:03:45.919 I am a sojourner. 00:03:46.500 --> 00:03:47.139 Among you. 00:03:48.039 --> 00:03:50.979 Residents in Canaan didn't buy burial plots. 00:03:51.400 --> 00:03:52.919 Because the land was theirs. 00:03:52.919 --> 00:03:55.459 Only strangers or pilgrims. 00:03:55.459 --> 00:03:57.539 Only strangers or pilgrims bought burial grounds. 00:03:58.659 --> 00:04:00.099 62 years. 00:04:00.839 --> 00:04:02.079 I am a sojourner. 00:04:02.799 --> 00:04:03.419 Among you. 00:04:04.479 --> 00:04:07.139 Jacob speaks the same way when he arrives in Egypt. 00:04:07.599 --> 00:04:09.339 Pharaoh asks him his age. 00:04:10.339 --> 00:04:11.219 And he replies. 00:04:11.659 --> 00:04:15.179 The days of the years of my sojourning. 00:04:15.180 --> 00:04:17.360 Are a hundred and thirty. 00:04:18.459 --> 00:04:20.540 Few and evil have been the days. 00:04:20.980 --> 00:04:22.280 Of the years of my life. 00:04:22.360 --> 00:04:23.400 And they have not attained. 00:04:23.860 --> 00:04:26.740 To the days of the years of the life of my fathers. 00:04:27.240 --> 00:04:29.680 In the days of their sojourning. 00:04:30.600 --> 00:04:31.180 For Jacob. 00:04:31.379 --> 00:04:31.860 His life. 00:04:31.960 --> 00:04:32.860 And that of his fathers. 00:04:32.980 --> 00:04:33.920 Isaac and Abraham. 00:04:33.920 --> 00:04:37.100 Was one long sojourn. 00:04:37.500 --> 00:04:39.100 One long pilgrimage. 00:04:40.100 --> 00:04:41.379 They were pilgrims. 00:04:41.960 --> 00:04:42.640 In this world. 00:04:43.120 --> 00:04:45.000 They could have sung with Jim Reeves. 00:04:45.720 --> 00:04:47.580 This world is not my home. 00:04:48.220 --> 00:04:49.820 I'm just a passing through. 00:04:50.980 --> 00:04:52.500 They were homesick for heaven. 00:04:53.160 --> 00:04:54.879 They were homesick for God. 00:04:55.640 --> 00:04:57.280 They had desires in them. 00:04:57.600 --> 00:05:00.300 That nothing in this world could satisfy. 00:05:00.960 --> 00:05:02.100 They were restless. 00:05:02.900 --> 00:05:03.680 For God. 00:05:04.600 --> 00:05:06.340 The period of the patriarchs. 00:05:06.340 --> 00:05:07.220 Living in tents. 00:05:07.220 --> 00:05:09.020 Is one of those parts. 00:05:09.520 --> 00:05:10.300 Of the Bible. 00:05:10.480 --> 00:05:11.720 Where the affectional. 00:05:12.000 --> 00:05:13.440 Pulse beat for heaven. 00:05:14.200 --> 00:05:16.160 Is pounding away. 00:05:17.080 --> 00:05:19.080 Is pumping strong. 00:05:20.060 --> 00:05:21.280 In an intense. 00:05:21.520 --> 00:05:22.280 Vivid way. 00:05:23.760 --> 00:05:25.060 In the New Testament. 00:05:25.600 --> 00:05:27.240 That pulse beat for heaven. 00:05:27.980 --> 00:05:29.740 Is seen in our Lord's life. 00:05:30.460 --> 00:05:31.220 He was called. 00:05:31.340 --> 00:05:32.220 The son of man. 00:05:32.220 --> 00:05:33.520 Born of Mary. 00:05:33.519 --> 00:05:36.139 But he was. 00:05:36.319 --> 00:05:37.419 He never forgot. 00:05:37.539 --> 00:05:38.699 He was a son of heaven. 00:05:39.740 --> 00:05:41.180 During his earthly life. 00:05:41.259 --> 00:05:42.139 He had no home. 00:05:42.979 --> 00:05:44.120 He didn't even have a tent. 00:05:45.060 --> 00:05:46.319 Foxes have holes. 00:05:46.659 --> 00:05:48.240 Birds of the air have nests. 00:05:48.799 --> 00:05:49.899 But the son of man. 00:05:50.279 --> 00:05:51.219 Has nowhere. 00:05:51.799 --> 00:05:52.779 To lay his head. 00:05:53.839 --> 00:05:54.099 Why? 00:05:55.000 --> 00:05:56.740 Because he was a son of heaven. 00:05:57.199 --> 00:05:58.079 And this world. 00:05:58.279 --> 00:05:59.199 Was not his home. 00:05:59.899 --> 00:06:01.639 He was just a passing through. 00:06:01.639 --> 00:06:03.439 But for the joy. 00:06:03.579 --> 00:06:04.539 Set before him. 00:06:04.939 --> 00:06:06.599 He endured the cross. 00:06:07.159 --> 00:06:08.219 And what was the joy. 00:06:09.099 --> 00:06:09.779 To sit. 00:06:10.079 --> 00:06:12.560 At his father's right hand. 00:06:13.199 --> 00:06:14.139 To be home. 00:06:14.620 --> 00:06:15.219 In heaven. 00:06:15.639 --> 00:06:16.680 With his father. 00:06:17.579 --> 00:06:18.839 The life of our Lord. 00:06:18.939 --> 00:06:20.019 Is one of those parts. 00:06:20.479 --> 00:06:21.219 In the Bible. 00:06:21.360 --> 00:06:22.379 Where the affectional. 00:06:22.579 --> 00:06:23.899 Pulse beat for heaven. 00:06:24.259 --> 00:06:24.959 For God. 00:06:25.300 --> 00:06:26.860 Is pounding away. 00:06:27.939 --> 00:06:29.060 Pumping away. 00:06:29.060 --> 00:06:30.959 In this strong. 00:06:31.540 --> 00:06:32.000 Vivid. 00:06:32.439 --> 00:06:33.379 Intense way. 00:06:35.079 --> 00:06:37.319 The lives of the patriarchs. 00:06:37.480 --> 00:06:38.120 The lives. 00:06:38.319 --> 00:06:39.160 Of our Lord. 00:06:39.800 --> 00:06:40.620 They give us this. 00:06:40.959 --> 00:06:41.519 Affectional. 00:06:41.519 --> 00:06:42.780 Pulse beat for heaven. 00:06:42.920 --> 00:06:43.500 For God. 00:06:43.920 --> 00:06:44.639 They show us. 00:06:44.699 --> 00:06:45.340 That this world. 00:06:45.480 --> 00:06:46.319 Is not our home. 00:06:46.860 --> 00:06:48.379 That we're just passing through. 00:06:49.980 --> 00:06:51.300 But there's a third. 00:06:51.560 --> 00:06:51.980 Picture. 00:06:52.279 --> 00:06:52.759 In the Bible. 00:06:52.899 --> 00:06:53.600 That captures. 00:06:53.600 --> 00:06:54.560 This vivid. 00:06:54.680 --> 00:06:55.220 Intense. 00:06:55.399 --> 00:06:55.899 Desire. 00:06:56.120 --> 00:06:57.319 For another world. 00:06:57.439 --> 00:06:58.220 For God himself. 00:06:58.220 --> 00:06:58.980 And that is. 00:06:59.380 --> 00:07:01.140 The annual pilgrimages. 00:07:01.320 --> 00:07:01.920 To Jerusalem. 00:07:03.040 --> 00:07:03.960 After Israel. 00:07:04.120 --> 00:07:05.080 Settled in the land. 00:07:05.180 --> 00:07:06.020 And built homes. 00:07:06.500 --> 00:07:07.440 Which God said. 00:07:07.520 --> 00:07:08.780 Was fine for them to do. 00:07:09.220 --> 00:07:10.080 They still had. 00:07:10.200 --> 00:07:11.120 Regular reminders. 00:07:11.300 --> 00:07:11.980 That Canaan. 00:07:12.540 --> 00:07:13.580 Was not really. 00:07:13.700 --> 00:07:14.640 Their true home. 00:07:15.180 --> 00:07:15.680 That there was. 00:07:15.880 --> 00:07:16.220 Somewhere. 00:07:16.540 --> 00:07:17.060 Beyond. 00:07:17.300 --> 00:07:17.740 Canaan. 00:07:18.360 --> 00:07:19.500 Something better. 00:07:19.500 --> 00:07:20.380 Than Canaan. 00:07:21.440 --> 00:07:22.440 Every year. 00:07:22.580 --> 00:07:23.320 There were various. 00:07:23.920 --> 00:07:24.440 Festivals. 00:07:24.640 --> 00:07:25.040 That were held. 00:07:25.160 --> 00:07:25.700 In Jerusalem. 00:07:25.860 --> 00:07:26.260 The feast. 00:07:26.380 --> 00:07:27.040 Of Passover. 00:07:27.040 --> 00:07:28.060 The feast. 00:07:28.060 --> 00:07:29.060 Of Pentecost. 00:07:29.460 --> 00:07:30.460 Both around Easter. 00:07:31.040 --> 00:07:31.560 And the feast. 00:07:31.660 --> 00:07:32.560 Of Tabernacles. 00:07:33.140 --> 00:07:33.760 In the autumn. 00:07:33.939 --> 00:07:34.740 Harvest time. 00:07:35.220 --> 00:07:36.080 And in each case. 00:07:36.200 --> 00:07:36.760 The Israelites. 00:07:37.140 --> 00:07:37.660 Would leave. 00:07:37.740 --> 00:07:38.400 Their homes. 00:07:39.439 --> 00:07:40.500 And they would travel. 00:07:40.820 --> 00:07:41.620 Up to Jerusalem. 00:07:41.780 --> 00:07:42.620 Up to the temple. 00:07:43.180 --> 00:07:44.360 To make sacrifices. 00:07:44.360 --> 00:07:45.640 To pay their tithes. 00:07:46.060 --> 00:07:46.720 And to meet. 00:07:47.040 --> 00:07:47.640 With God. 00:07:47.700 --> 00:07:48.280 And the journey. 00:07:48.620 --> 00:07:49.220 Was known. 00:07:49.740 --> 00:07:50.680 As a pilgrimage. 00:07:51.540 --> 00:07:52.280 A pilgrimage. 00:07:52.280 --> 00:07:53.140 To God. 00:07:53.640 --> 00:07:54.500 In his temple. 00:07:54.500 --> 00:07:54.579 Temple. 00:07:55.319 --> 00:07:56.540 And Psalm 84. 00:07:56.540 --> 00:07:57.680 Is set. 00:07:57.879 --> 00:07:58.819 In that context. 00:07:59.019 --> 00:07:59.360 It's the. 00:07:59.800 --> 00:08:00.420 Context. 00:08:00.600 --> 00:08:01.319 Of a pilgrimage. 00:08:01.939 --> 00:08:02.639 And as such. 00:08:02.779 --> 00:08:03.839 It is another moment. 00:08:03.839 --> 00:08:04.519 In the Bible. 00:08:04.980 --> 00:08:05.459 Where the. 00:08:05.839 --> 00:08:06.439 Affectional. 00:08:06.680 --> 00:08:07.379 Pulse beat. 00:08:07.519 --> 00:08:08.060 For heaven. 00:08:08.860 --> 00:08:09.660 For God. 00:08:10.300 --> 00:08:11.519 Is pounding. 00:08:11.519 --> 00:08:12.079 Away. 00:08:13.439 --> 00:08:14.079 Because this. 00:08:14.199 --> 00:08:14.579 Psalm. 00:08:15.000 --> 00:08:15.819 Strips back. 00:08:15.819 --> 00:08:16.740 All the pomp. 00:08:16.800 --> 00:08:17.579 And ceremony. 00:08:18.019 --> 00:08:19.019 Of the feasts. 00:08:19.019 --> 00:08:19.759 At the temple. 00:08:20.040 --> 00:08:21.019 All the fuss. 00:08:21.079 --> 00:08:21.740 And fancy. 00:08:21.740 --> 00:08:23.139 Of the festivals. 00:08:23.139 --> 00:08:23.939 At the temple. 00:08:24.379 --> 00:08:25.220 And it reveals. 00:08:25.420 --> 00:08:25.759 To us. 00:08:25.860 --> 00:08:26.620 A heart. 00:08:27.800 --> 00:08:28.400 Longing. 00:08:28.560 --> 00:08:29.040 For heaven. 00:08:30.019 --> 00:08:30.579 Longing. 00:08:30.759 --> 00:08:31.340 For God. 00:08:32.620 --> 00:08:33.080 If this. 00:08:33.180 --> 00:08:33.419 Psalm. 00:08:33.500 --> 00:08:34.060 Does anything. 00:08:34.159 --> 00:08:34.680 This evening. 00:08:35.100 --> 00:08:36.080 It shows us. 00:08:36.080 --> 00:08:37.139 That this world. 00:08:37.500 --> 00:08:38.940 Is not our home. 00:08:40.000 --> 00:08:40.500 We're just. 00:08:40.580 --> 00:08:41.560 A passing through. 00:08:42.279 --> 00:08:42.519 This. 00:08:42.659 --> 00:08:42.860 Psalm. 00:08:43.279 --> 00:08:44.200 Orientates us. 00:08:44.659 --> 00:08:45.860 Beyond this world. 00:08:46.779 --> 00:08:47.480 Shows us. 00:08:47.539 --> 00:08:48.639 Where our desires. 00:08:48.919 --> 00:08:49.279 Ought. 00:08:49.639 --> 00:08:50.620 To be directed. 00:08:50.620 --> 00:08:50.779 It. 00:08:52.139 --> 00:08:53.299 Now before we come. 00:08:53.299 --> 00:08:53.919 To the psalm. 00:08:54.000 --> 00:08:54.279 Let me. 00:08:54.759 --> 00:08:55.100 Put in. 00:08:55.299 --> 00:08:55.519 One. 00:08:56.100 --> 00:08:56.500 Qualification. 00:08:57.799 --> 00:08:59.080 And it's an important one. 00:08:59.220 --> 00:09:00.279 By this world. 00:09:01.240 --> 00:09:01.779 When I say. 00:09:01.879 --> 00:09:02.480 This world. 00:09:02.480 --> 00:09:03.419 Is not our home. 00:09:03.500 --> 00:09:04.139 I don't mean. 00:09:04.279 --> 00:09:04.580 Earth. 00:09:04.759 --> 00:09:05.139 Below. 00:09:05.860 --> 00:09:06.720 Is not our home. 00:09:06.799 --> 00:09:07.659 But heaven above. 00:09:08.379 --> 00:09:09.039 That would be. 00:09:09.440 --> 00:09:09.919 Platonism. 00:09:10.919 --> 00:09:12.039 Dividing the physical. 00:09:12.200 --> 00:09:13.019 And the spiritual. 00:09:13.240 --> 00:09:13.560 As if. 00:09:14.080 --> 00:09:14.740 The spiritual. 00:09:14.740 --> 00:09:15.259 Up there. 00:09:15.340 --> 00:09:16.139 Is more important. 00:09:16.600 --> 00:09:17.340 Than the physical. 00:09:17.500 --> 00:09:18.100 Down here. 00:09:19.100 --> 00:09:19.620 No. 00:09:19.620 --> 00:09:20.620 Jesus rose. 00:09:20.620 --> 00:09:21.379 From the dead. 00:09:21.879 --> 00:09:22.399 Physically. 00:09:22.639 --> 00:09:23.340 On this earth. 00:09:23.460 --> 00:09:23.980 The meek. 00:09:24.580 --> 00:09:25.240 Shall inherit. 00:09:25.899 --> 00:09:26.460 The earth. 00:09:27.720 --> 00:09:28.340 Now when I. 00:09:28.539 --> 00:09:29.639 Speak of this world. 00:09:29.779 --> 00:09:30.460 What I mean is. 00:09:31.019 --> 00:09:32.240 This age. 00:09:32.460 --> 00:09:33.460 Of this heaven. 00:09:33.560 --> 00:09:34.259 And this earth. 00:09:34.779 --> 00:09:35.799 Is not our home. 00:09:36.299 --> 00:09:37.019 Our home. 00:09:37.419 --> 00:09:38.539 Is the new age. 00:09:38.960 --> 00:09:39.919 Of the new heavens. 00:09:39.919 --> 00:09:40.779 And the new earth. 00:09:42.100 --> 00:09:43.340 So that's an important. 00:09:43.720 --> 00:09:44.200 Qualification. 00:09:44.200 --> 00:09:44.920 But with that. 00:09:45.580 --> 00:09:46.100 Qualification. 00:09:46.100 --> 00:09:46.540 In mind. 00:09:46.620 --> 00:09:47.200 Let me show you. 00:09:47.280 --> 00:09:47.940 Three ways. 00:09:48.040 --> 00:09:48.660 In which this. 00:09:49.160 --> 00:09:49.680 Psalmist. 00:09:49.840 --> 00:09:50.780 Reveals to us. 00:09:50.820 --> 00:09:51.420 A heart. 00:09:51.960 --> 00:09:53.200 That is pulsing. 00:09:53.780 --> 00:09:54.520 For heaven. 00:09:55.259 --> 00:09:55.940 For God. 00:09:56.620 --> 00:09:57.100 First. 00:09:57.920 --> 00:09:58.460 A longing. 00:09:58.879 --> 00:09:59.440 For God. 00:09:59.500 --> 00:10:00.259 Is what we see. 00:10:00.340 --> 00:10:01.120 In verses one. 00:10:01.500 --> 00:10:02.080 To four. 00:10:02.240 --> 00:10:02.820 A longing. 00:10:03.340 --> 00:10:03.900 For God. 00:10:04.360 --> 00:10:05.200 As I read. 00:10:05.480 --> 00:10:06.220 These verses. 00:10:06.360 --> 00:10:06.940 Keep in mind. 00:10:07.020 --> 00:10:07.879 That God's temple. 00:10:07.980 --> 00:10:08.520 In Jerusalem. 00:10:08.940 --> 00:10:09.660 Was a picture. 00:10:09.660 --> 00:10:10.259 Of heaven. 00:10:10.320 --> 00:10:11.180 Where God lives. 00:10:11.179 --> 00:10:12.339 And you'll see. 00:10:12.419 --> 00:10:13.099 How this psalm. 00:10:13.179 --> 00:10:13.959 Reveals a longing. 00:10:14.139 --> 00:10:14.620 For heaven. 00:10:15.159 --> 00:10:16.059 And for God. 00:10:17.299 --> 00:10:18.199 How lovely. 00:10:18.459 --> 00:10:19.699 Is your dwelling place. 00:10:19.759 --> 00:10:20.759 O Lord of hosts. 00:10:21.459 --> 00:10:22.779 My soul longs. 00:10:22.839 --> 00:10:23.139 Yes. 00:10:23.599 --> 00:10:24.039 Faints. 00:10:24.159 --> 00:10:24.799 For the courts. 00:10:24.819 --> 00:10:25.459 Of the Lord. 00:10:25.739 --> 00:10:26.399 My heart. 00:10:26.479 --> 00:10:27.019 And flesh. 00:10:27.159 --> 00:10:28.139 Sing for joy. 00:10:28.739 --> 00:10:30.019 To the living God. 00:10:30.939 --> 00:10:32.000 The word lovely. 00:10:32.120 --> 00:10:32.799 In verse one. 00:10:32.899 --> 00:10:33.539 Does not mean. 00:10:33.539 --> 00:10:34.699 That God's dwelling place. 00:10:34.699 --> 00:10:35.759 Is lovely looking. 00:10:36.179 --> 00:10:37.279 I'm sure it was. 00:10:38.159 --> 00:10:39.599 But if that's what the psalmist. 00:10:39.740 --> 00:10:40.019 Meant. 00:10:40.079 --> 00:10:40.939 It's a bit strange. 00:10:40.940 --> 00:10:41.900 That he doesn't go on. 00:10:41.920 --> 00:10:42.640 To describe. 00:10:42.640 --> 00:10:44.140 What God's temple. 00:10:44.140 --> 00:10:44.800 Looks like. 00:10:45.180 --> 00:10:46.140 There are no descriptions. 00:10:46.140 --> 00:10:46.660 Of it. 00:10:46.900 --> 00:10:47.600 In this psalm. 00:10:47.980 --> 00:10:49.100 Rather the word lovely. 00:10:49.740 --> 00:10:50.900 Means something like. 00:10:51.200 --> 00:10:51.560 Lovable. 00:10:51.980 --> 00:10:52.780 How lovable. 00:10:53.440 --> 00:10:54.720 Is your dwelling place. 00:10:55.240 --> 00:10:56.640 How I love. 00:10:56.960 --> 00:10:58.120 Your dwelling place. 00:10:58.700 --> 00:11:00.380 Is really what the psalmist means. 00:11:00.900 --> 00:11:02.640 And his life for God's dwelling place. 00:11:03.020 --> 00:11:05.840 Is seen in his intense longing. 00:11:05.840 --> 00:11:06.520 For it. 00:11:06.580 --> 00:11:07.280 In verse two. 00:11:08.100 --> 00:11:09.380 My soul longs. 00:11:09.460 --> 00:11:09.740 Yes. 00:11:10.320 --> 00:11:10.800 Faints. 00:11:10.799 --> 00:11:12.620 For the courts of the Lord. 00:11:12.719 --> 00:11:13.859 My heart and flesh. 00:11:14.339 --> 00:11:15.459 Sing for joy. 00:11:16.179 --> 00:11:17.199 To the living God. 00:11:17.899 --> 00:11:18.879 Two opposite. 00:11:19.319 --> 00:11:20.000 Descriptions. 00:11:20.779 --> 00:11:21.899 Of his intense. 00:11:22.399 --> 00:11:22.899 Longing. 00:11:23.779 --> 00:11:24.599 There is his. 00:11:25.139 --> 00:11:25.620 Fainting. 00:11:26.359 --> 00:11:26.919 The blood. 00:11:27.179 --> 00:11:27.740 Rushes. 00:11:27.859 --> 00:11:28.620 From his body. 00:11:28.759 --> 00:11:29.519 And a kind of. 00:11:30.000 --> 00:11:30.679 Craving. 00:11:30.839 --> 00:11:31.519 For the place. 00:11:32.079 --> 00:11:33.019 Like when you're so. 00:11:33.259 --> 00:11:33.740 Ravenous. 00:11:33.819 --> 00:11:34.339 For food. 00:11:34.439 --> 00:11:34.919 You can't. 00:11:35.179 --> 00:11:36.259 Think of anything else. 00:11:36.259 --> 00:11:36.980 But food. 00:11:37.139 --> 00:11:38.539 That's the first way. 00:11:38.539 --> 00:11:40.039 He describes this longing. 00:11:40.039 --> 00:11:41.220 But then he gives it. 00:11:41.340 --> 00:11:42.620 An opposite expression. 00:11:43.700 --> 00:11:44.100 His heart. 00:11:44.240 --> 00:11:45.139 And his flesh. 00:11:45.639 --> 00:11:46.559 His whole person. 00:11:47.240 --> 00:11:47.720 Sing. 00:11:48.360 --> 00:11:48.899 For joy. 00:11:49.259 --> 00:11:49.899 Now the blood. 00:11:50.120 --> 00:11:50.960 Rushes back. 00:11:51.279 --> 00:11:51.720 If you like. 00:11:52.200 --> 00:11:53.279 Because you can't sing. 00:11:53.360 --> 00:11:54.439 If you're feeling faint. 00:11:54.720 --> 00:11:54.980 Right. 00:11:54.980 --> 00:11:56.480 So he's. 00:11:56.680 --> 00:11:57.200 Fainting. 00:11:57.379 --> 00:11:58.180 For this place. 00:11:58.940 --> 00:11:59.399 And he's. 00:11:59.539 --> 00:11:59.899 Singing. 00:12:00.639 --> 00:12:01.100 For it. 00:12:01.779 --> 00:12:02.519 And those two. 00:12:02.659 --> 00:12:03.180 Opposite. 00:12:03.500 --> 00:12:04.060 Physical. 00:12:04.800 --> 00:12:05.360 Experiences. 00:12:05.620 --> 00:12:06.300 Of craving. 00:12:06.539 --> 00:12:07.139 And singing. 00:12:07.899 --> 00:12:09.420 Capture the intensity. 00:12:10.139 --> 00:12:11.060 Of his longing. 00:12:11.240 --> 00:12:11.920 For God's. 00:12:12.019 --> 00:12:12.779 Dwelling place. 00:12:13.320 --> 00:12:14.639 How much does he love it? 00:12:15.360 --> 00:12:16.500 He faints. 00:12:16.840 --> 00:12:17.320 For it. 00:12:17.800 --> 00:12:18.800 He sings. 00:12:19.220 --> 00:12:19.659 For it. 00:12:20.300 --> 00:12:21.580 God and his temple. 00:12:22.139 --> 00:12:22.820 Are his one. 00:12:22.920 --> 00:12:23.440 Consuming. 00:12:23.659 --> 00:12:24.039 Passion. 00:12:24.039 --> 00:12:26.459 So much so. 00:12:26.559 --> 00:12:27.299 That he expresses. 00:12:27.539 --> 00:12:27.959 Envy. 00:12:28.039 --> 00:12:28.539 At those. 00:12:28.919 --> 00:12:29.939 Who get to live there. 00:12:30.299 --> 00:12:30.779 Permanently. 00:12:31.099 --> 00:12:32.099 Verse 3 and 4. 00:12:32.879 --> 00:12:34.500 He's envious of the sparrow. 00:12:34.919 --> 00:12:36.419 Who gets to find a home. 00:12:36.480 --> 00:12:37.839 In the arches of the roof. 00:12:38.439 --> 00:12:40.059 He's envious of the swallow. 00:12:40.299 --> 00:12:41.360 Who makes a nest. 00:12:41.860 --> 00:12:43.219 In the eaves of the temple. 00:12:43.799 --> 00:12:45.259 She gets to have her young. 00:12:45.719 --> 00:12:47.259 Just by his altars. 00:12:47.959 --> 00:12:49.919 The birds have free access. 00:12:50.099 --> 00:12:50.839 To God's home. 00:12:51.199 --> 00:12:52.480 It's like when you visit a farm. 00:12:52.919 --> 00:12:54.019 And you see the sparrow. 00:12:54.039 --> 00:12:54.819 Those and the swallows. 00:12:54.819 --> 00:12:56.959 Just flying in and out of the barns. 00:12:57.759 --> 00:12:58.199 Freely. 00:12:58.839 --> 00:12:59.860 Without restriction. 00:13:00.240 --> 00:13:00.959 Whenever they want. 00:13:01.059 --> 00:13:02.500 They come and go as they please. 00:13:02.759 --> 00:13:04.459 They make their home there. 00:13:05.399 --> 00:13:06.839 But this psalmist can't. 00:13:07.579 --> 00:13:09.399 He can't make his home in the temple. 00:13:10.360 --> 00:13:12.839 He makes a pilgrimage to God's temple. 00:13:13.759 --> 00:13:15.000 And then he has to leave. 00:13:16.019 --> 00:13:17.719 For months on end. 00:13:17.720 --> 00:13:20.860 Which brings him to the other group of people. 00:13:20.860 --> 00:13:21.440 That he's. 00:13:21.700 --> 00:13:23.740 Or the other group that he's envious of. 00:13:24.100 --> 00:13:25.639 He's envious of the sparrows. 00:13:25.759 --> 00:13:26.460 And the swallows. 00:13:27.040 --> 00:13:29.300 But he's envious of those who live in the temple. 00:13:29.879 --> 00:13:30.639 The priests. 00:13:31.019 --> 00:13:31.660 The Levites. 00:13:31.820 --> 00:13:32.540 The gatekeepers. 00:13:33.279 --> 00:13:34.240 He's envious of them. 00:13:34.320 --> 00:13:35.899 Because they get to live in God's house. 00:13:36.000 --> 00:13:37.920 And sing his praises continually. 00:13:38.220 --> 00:13:38.840 Verse 4. 00:13:38.840 --> 00:13:40.759 Blessed are those. 00:13:41.060 --> 00:13:42.360 Who dwell in your house. 00:13:43.139 --> 00:13:44.680 Ever singing your praise. 00:13:45.879 --> 00:13:46.800 It's a good envy. 00:13:46.980 --> 00:13:47.940 Not a bad envy. 00:13:48.460 --> 00:13:49.980 Because he calls them blessed. 00:13:50.800 --> 00:13:51.840 The blessed life. 00:13:51.940 --> 00:13:52.800 Is the life lived. 00:13:53.480 --> 00:13:54.740 In the courts of God. 00:13:55.259 --> 00:13:57.040 Ever singing his praises. 00:13:58.780 --> 00:14:01.200 I've been reflecting on this recently. 00:14:01.399 --> 00:14:02.800 For obvious reasons. 00:14:03.519 --> 00:14:05.000 Our daughter Leila died. 00:14:05.660 --> 00:14:06.700 Seven months ago. 00:14:06.700 --> 00:14:10.060 When our loved ones in Christ. 00:14:10.200 --> 00:14:11.040 Depart from us. 00:14:11.140 --> 00:14:12.060 We so often wish. 00:14:12.200 --> 00:14:13.800 That they would come back to us. 00:14:14.240 --> 00:14:15.520 Even just for a day. 00:14:16.920 --> 00:14:19.700 But think about what we'd be asking of them. 00:14:20.580 --> 00:14:21.960 We'd be asking of them. 00:14:22.280 --> 00:14:23.540 To leave the courts. 00:14:24.240 --> 00:14:25.580 Of the Lord of hosts. 00:14:27.120 --> 00:14:29.280 To leave their home in heaven. 00:14:30.240 --> 00:14:33.100 Where they get to praise God continually. 00:14:34.360 --> 00:14:36.160 Why would we ever want them. 00:14:36.159 --> 00:14:38.000 To have to leave that. 00:14:38.759 --> 00:14:41.179 This psalmist doesn't want the sparrows. 00:14:41.179 --> 00:14:43.439 Or swallows confiscated. 00:14:44.000 --> 00:14:45.899 He doesn't want them to come and live with him. 00:14:45.980 --> 00:14:46.740 In his home. 00:14:46.839 --> 00:14:47.519 In the countryside. 00:14:48.259 --> 00:14:50.120 He wants to go and live. 00:14:50.679 --> 00:14:51.579 Where they live. 00:14:52.799 --> 00:14:54.600 The psalmist doesn't want the priests. 00:14:54.719 --> 00:14:55.480 And the Levites. 00:14:55.559 --> 00:14:56.299 And the gatekeepers. 00:14:56.579 --> 00:14:58.539 To have to leave the temple. 00:14:59.039 --> 00:15:00.480 And go and visit him. 00:15:00.639 --> 00:15:01.539 In the countryside. 00:15:02.539 --> 00:15:02.779 No. 00:15:02.860 --> 00:15:04.299 He wants to go and live. 00:15:04.299 --> 00:15:05.899 Where they live. 00:15:06.899 --> 00:15:10.099 He longs for God's dwelling place. 00:15:10.319 --> 00:15:11.419 For heaven. 00:15:12.079 --> 00:15:14.059 Because blessed are those. 00:15:14.259 --> 00:15:16.079 Who dwell in your house. 00:15:16.719 --> 00:15:18.339 Ever singing your praise. 00:15:18.340 --> 00:15:20.940 Samuel Rutherford. 00:15:20.940 --> 00:15:21.500 Rutherford. 00:15:21.500 --> 00:15:23.220 Once wrote to a mother. 00:15:23.220 --> 00:15:24.400 Who lost her child. 00:15:24.400 --> 00:15:25.000 And said. 00:15:25.760 --> 00:15:27.540 Today the Lord has cut off. 00:15:27.540 --> 00:15:28.760 One of your branches. 00:15:29.700 --> 00:15:31.500 So that you might grow higher. 00:15:32.060 --> 00:15:32.800 And closer. 00:15:33.520 --> 00:15:34.460 Towards heaven. 00:15:36.460 --> 00:15:38.320 Life is not about those. 00:15:38.420 --> 00:15:39.680 Who have gone before us. 00:15:40.040 --> 00:15:41.480 Coming back to us. 00:15:42.220 --> 00:15:43.200 It's about us. 00:15:43.420 --> 00:15:44.900 Going to them. 00:15:44.899 --> 00:15:48.220 Because blessed are those. 00:15:48.919 --> 00:15:50.439 Who dwell in God's house. 00:15:50.720 --> 00:15:52.319 Ever singing his praises. 00:15:54.120 --> 00:15:54.799 Cancer. 00:15:55.179 --> 00:15:56.079 Or old age. 00:15:56.360 --> 00:15:57.620 Or some terrible news. 00:15:57.679 --> 00:15:58.220 Or death. 00:15:58.720 --> 00:16:00.620 Is a great recalibration. 00:16:00.819 --> 00:16:01.699 For our desires. 00:16:02.840 --> 00:16:03.620 These things. 00:16:03.759 --> 00:16:05.139 Come into our lives. 00:16:05.919 --> 00:16:06.879 And they make us. 00:16:07.120 --> 00:16:07.699 Long. 00:16:08.379 --> 00:16:09.000 For heaven. 00:16:10.000 --> 00:16:11.340 That's what this psalm. 00:16:11.340 --> 00:16:12.100 Does for us. 00:16:12.100 --> 00:16:14.419 It recalibrates. 00:16:14.899 --> 00:16:16.279 Our longing for heaven. 00:16:16.959 --> 00:16:18.600 But not just for heaven. 00:16:19.259 --> 00:16:20.100 Did you notice that? 00:16:23.579 --> 00:16:25.159 My soul longs. 00:16:25.220 --> 00:16:25.480 Yes. 00:16:25.699 --> 00:16:26.059 Faints. 00:16:26.240 --> 00:16:27.399 For the courts of the Lord. 00:16:27.519 --> 00:16:28.720 My heart and flesh. 00:16:28.860 --> 00:16:29.879 Sing for joy. 00:16:30.779 --> 00:16:32.240 To the living God. 00:16:34.439 --> 00:16:35.759 C.S. Lewis once said. 00:16:35.860 --> 00:16:37.240 Heaven is Oxford. 00:16:37.559 --> 00:16:38.620 Lifted up and placed. 00:16:38.740 --> 00:16:40.139 In the middle of County Down. 00:16:40.720 --> 00:16:41.600 Northern Ireland. 00:16:43.000 --> 00:16:44.399 C.S. Lewis was a genius. 00:16:44.899 --> 00:16:47.259 He got the right county. 00:16:47.399 --> 00:16:49.019 But like all geniuses. 00:16:49.059 --> 00:16:49.959 He had a blind spot. 00:16:50.019 --> 00:16:51.199 He got the wrong university. 00:16:52.720 --> 00:16:54.519 But notice what he was saying. 00:16:55.360 --> 00:16:57.779 Heaven is not just a beautiful place. 00:16:58.279 --> 00:16:59.439 Like County Down. 00:16:59.519 --> 00:17:00.220 Northern Ireland. 00:17:01.179 --> 00:17:01.879 For Lewis. 00:17:02.179 --> 00:17:03.779 Heaven is a beautiful place. 00:17:04.660 --> 00:17:06.920 Because it is an inhabited place. 00:17:06.920 --> 00:17:09.300 When he spoke about Oxford. 00:17:09.300 --> 00:17:11.440 Being lifted up and placed. 00:17:11.440 --> 00:17:12.380 In County Down. 00:17:12.740 --> 00:17:14.380 He was speaking of Oxford. 00:17:14.580 --> 00:17:16.080 The university city. 00:17:16.460 --> 00:17:17.400 With its students. 00:17:17.620 --> 00:17:18.300 And professors. 00:17:18.920 --> 00:17:19.779 And town folk. 00:17:19.900 --> 00:17:20.600 And libraries. 00:17:20.840 --> 00:17:21.539 And culture. 00:17:22.700 --> 00:17:24.080 Lewis was saying that heaven. 00:17:24.420 --> 00:17:25.700 Is about the people. 00:17:26.259 --> 00:17:27.539 As well as the place. 00:17:28.200 --> 00:17:29.420 And that's what this psalmist. 00:17:29.580 --> 00:17:30.120 Shows us. 00:17:30.580 --> 00:17:32.420 Heaven is only heaven. 00:17:33.039 --> 00:17:34.519 Because of who lives there. 00:17:34.519 --> 00:17:37.500 Heaven is about the person. 00:17:38.099 --> 00:17:39.180 Not just the place. 00:17:39.940 --> 00:17:40.960 That's why this psalmist. 00:17:41.339 --> 00:17:43.019 Finds heaven so lovable. 00:17:43.720 --> 00:17:44.000 Why? 00:17:44.660 --> 00:17:46.759 Because of who lives there. 00:17:47.440 --> 00:17:48.980 The Lord of hosts. 00:17:49.480 --> 00:17:50.460 The living God. 00:17:50.799 --> 00:17:51.519 His King. 00:17:51.920 --> 00:17:52.779 And his God. 00:17:53.059 --> 00:17:54.139 The God of Jacob. 00:17:54.140 --> 00:17:56.680 Did you notice how dominant. 00:17:57.200 --> 00:17:58.780 The references to God are. 00:17:58.900 --> 00:17:59.540 In this psalm. 00:18:00.120 --> 00:18:01.940 Fourteen or fifteen times. 00:18:02.540 --> 00:18:03.800 He refers to God. 00:18:03.880 --> 00:18:04.860 With different titles. 00:18:05.600 --> 00:18:07.120 That's more than one reference. 00:18:07.240 --> 00:18:07.800 Per verse. 00:18:09.300 --> 00:18:10.860 Only six references. 00:18:11.500 --> 00:18:12.920 To God's dwelling place. 00:18:13.759 --> 00:18:14.500 This psalmist. 00:18:14.640 --> 00:18:16.540 Is not longing for heaven. 00:18:16.700 --> 00:18:17.240 So much. 00:18:17.620 --> 00:18:18.540 As he is longing. 00:18:19.180 --> 00:18:20.520 For the God of heaven. 00:18:21.520 --> 00:18:22.960 He's longing for a person. 00:18:22.960 --> 00:18:23.800 Not a place. 00:18:24.140 --> 00:18:25.460 Because it's God. 00:18:25.560 --> 00:18:26.520 Who makes heaven. 00:18:26.720 --> 00:18:27.060 Heaven. 00:18:27.820 --> 00:18:29.300 Heaven is only heaven. 00:18:30.120 --> 00:18:31.860 Because God lives there. 00:18:35.000 --> 00:18:36.100 Martin Lloyd-Jones. 00:18:36.200 --> 00:18:37.520 When he was dying of cancer. 00:18:38.120 --> 00:18:38.680 Was asked. 00:18:38.780 --> 00:18:39.080 Doctor. 00:18:39.180 --> 00:18:40.180 Shall we pray for you. 00:18:40.259 --> 00:18:40.940 To be healed. 00:18:42.540 --> 00:18:43.820 And he replied. 00:18:44.360 --> 00:18:45.860 Don't hold me back. 00:18:46.520 --> 00:18:47.720 From the glory. 00:18:49.640 --> 00:18:51.080 What was glorious. 00:18:51.080 --> 00:18:53.240 For Martin Lloyd-Jones. 00:18:54.140 --> 00:18:55.560 Seeing God. 00:18:55.560 --> 00:18:55.560 00:18:55.560 --> 00:18:55.560 00:18:55.560 --> 00:18:55.560 00:18:55.560 --> 00:18:55.560 00:18:55.560 --> 00:18:55.560 00:18:55.560 --> 00:18:56.560 Seeing God. 00:18:56.560 --> 00:18:58.640 Why would you hold someone back. 00:18:59.020 --> 00:19:00.680 From seeing God. 00:19:02.680 --> 00:19:05.740 That's the first thing that this psalm shows us. 00:19:06.259 --> 00:19:07.880 A longing for God. 00:19:08.960 --> 00:19:09.600 Second. 00:19:10.400 --> 00:19:12.540 A journeying to God. 00:19:12.960 --> 00:19:14.820 A journeying to God. 00:19:15.200 --> 00:19:17.160 Verses five to eight. 00:19:17.160 --> 00:19:18.580 Blessed are those. 00:19:18.580 --> 00:19:19.440 Blessed are those. 00:19:19.580 --> 00:19:21.019 Whose strength is in you. 00:19:21.680 --> 00:19:23.480 In whose heart are the highways. 00:19:23.480 --> 00:19:24.320 To Zion. 00:19:25.100 --> 00:19:27.080 As they go through the valley of Baca. 00:19:27.080 --> 00:19:28.880 They make it a place of springs. 00:19:29.540 --> 00:19:32.340 The early rain also covers it with pools. 00:19:33.040 --> 00:19:34.960 They go from strength to strength. 00:19:35.540 --> 00:19:37.759 Each one appears before God. 00:19:38.340 --> 00:19:39.080 In Zion. 00:19:39.079 --> 00:19:41.500 The last stanza. 00:19:41.500 --> 00:19:42.879 Verses one to four. 00:19:43.000 --> 00:19:44.139 Ended with a statement. 00:19:44.779 --> 00:19:45.899 Of who is blessed. 00:19:46.460 --> 00:19:47.099 Those who are. 00:19:47.599 --> 00:19:48.799 Who live permanently. 00:19:48.799 --> 00:19:49.859 In God's house. 00:19:50.899 --> 00:19:52.599 Ever singing his praises. 00:19:52.819 --> 00:19:53.599 And this stanza. 00:19:53.720 --> 00:19:54.199 Begins. 00:19:55.000 --> 00:19:55.779 With a statement. 00:19:55.779 --> 00:19:56.839 Of who is blessed. 00:19:57.000 --> 00:19:57.619 Verse five. 00:19:58.339 --> 00:19:59.919 Those whose strength. 00:20:00.419 --> 00:20:01.559 Is in God. 00:20:02.240 --> 00:20:03.199 Those who have. 00:20:03.819 --> 00:20:04.500 Pilgrimage. 00:20:04.819 --> 00:20:05.659 In their heart. 00:20:05.660 --> 00:20:07.120 That's what highways. 00:20:07.120 --> 00:20:08.340 Refer to here. 00:20:08.860 --> 00:20:10.380 I think it's the NIV. 00:20:11.080 --> 00:20:12.440 The 1984 NIV. 00:20:12.660 --> 00:20:13.519 That has that beautiful. 00:20:14.380 --> 00:20:15.019 Saying. 00:20:15.160 --> 00:20:15.980 A beautiful line. 00:20:17.040 --> 00:20:18.040 In whose heart. 00:20:18.140 --> 00:20:19.380 Are the pilgrimages. 00:20:20.080 --> 00:20:20.600 To Zion. 00:20:21.640 --> 00:20:22.660 So blessing here. 00:20:22.779 --> 00:20:23.880 Is not just restricted. 00:20:24.060 --> 00:20:24.580 To those. 00:20:24.860 --> 00:20:26.120 Who live permanently. 00:20:26.580 --> 00:20:28.400 In God's temple. 00:20:29.279 --> 00:20:31.120 Those who don't yet live. 00:20:31.540 --> 00:20:31.840 There. 00:20:32.060 --> 00:20:33.100 Can still be blessed. 00:20:33.800 --> 00:20:35.259 If they find their strength. 00:20:35.259 --> 00:20:35.740 In God. 00:20:35.819 --> 00:20:37.599 And have pilgrimages. 00:20:38.160 --> 00:20:38.759 Fixed. 00:20:39.240 --> 00:20:40.000 In their heart. 00:20:40.759 --> 00:20:41.460 In other words. 00:20:41.579 --> 00:20:42.480 Blessed are those. 00:20:42.920 --> 00:20:44.299 Who are in heaven already. 00:20:44.839 --> 00:20:45.920 And blessed are those. 00:20:45.960 --> 00:20:46.819 Who have the journey. 00:20:46.819 --> 00:20:47.539 To heaven. 00:20:47.799 --> 00:20:48.440 Fixed. 00:20:48.819 --> 00:20:49.720 In their hearts. 00:20:49.720 --> 00:20:50.200 Now. 00:20:50.900 --> 00:20:51.940 Blessed are those. 00:20:52.519 --> 00:20:53.119 Who live. 00:20:53.879 --> 00:20:54.720 Like the patriarchs. 00:20:56.180 --> 00:20:57.079 Blessed are those. 00:20:57.180 --> 00:20:57.579 Who live. 00:20:58.019 --> 00:20:58.720 Like our Lord. 00:20:58.799 --> 00:20:59.619 Jesus Christ. 00:21:00.339 --> 00:21:01.379 Who live loosely. 00:21:01.619 --> 00:21:02.379 To this world. 00:21:03.000 --> 00:21:04.000 And longingly. 00:21:04.000 --> 00:21:05.740 For another world. 00:21:06.740 --> 00:21:07.539 Blessed are those. 00:21:07.539 --> 00:21:08.119 Who say. 00:21:08.599 --> 00:21:09.200 This world. 00:21:09.200 --> 00:21:10.220 Is not my home. 00:21:11.019 --> 00:21:12.640 I'm just a passing through. 00:21:13.680 --> 00:21:15.420 Because if we do live like that. 00:21:16.099 --> 00:21:16.720 Then when we. 00:21:16.960 --> 00:21:18.220 Then we can experience. 00:21:18.420 --> 00:21:18.779 Joy. 00:21:19.099 --> 00:21:19.819 Even in the midst. 00:21:19.819 --> 00:21:20.660 Of difficulties. 00:21:20.660 --> 00:21:21.480 And tears. 00:21:21.480 --> 00:21:22.319 Verse six. 00:21:22.980 --> 00:21:23.599 As they go through. 00:21:23.779 --> 00:21:24.859 The valley of Baca. 00:21:25.240 --> 00:21:26.160 They make it. 00:21:26.240 --> 00:21:27.359 A place of springs. 00:21:27.740 --> 00:21:28.539 The early rain. 00:21:28.539 --> 00:21:29.480 And also covers it. 00:21:29.559 --> 00:21:30.279 With pools. 00:21:31.180 --> 00:21:32.420 We're not exactly sure. 00:21:32.420 --> 00:21:32.940 Where this. 00:21:33.740 --> 00:21:34.899 Valley of Baca. 00:21:35.539 --> 00:21:36.099 Was. 00:21:36.279 --> 00:21:36.779 But scholars. 00:21:36.980 --> 00:21:37.599 Think Baca. 00:21:37.599 --> 00:21:38.240 It refers to. 00:21:38.359 --> 00:21:39.399 Balsam trees. 00:21:40.139 --> 00:21:40.440 Which. 00:21:40.720 --> 00:21:41.680 Were in the valley. 00:21:41.799 --> 00:21:42.659 Of Rephaim. 00:21:42.819 --> 00:21:43.200 Southwest. 00:21:43.559 --> 00:21:44.139 Of Jerusalem. 00:21:44.779 --> 00:21:45.619 It was the one. 00:21:45.920 --> 00:21:46.819 Pilgrim route. 00:21:47.000 --> 00:21:47.579 For those. 00:21:47.639 --> 00:21:48.279 In the south. 00:21:48.819 --> 00:21:49.539 That involved. 00:21:49.680 --> 00:21:50.259 Walking through. 00:21:50.379 --> 00:21:50.819 A valley. 00:21:51.559 --> 00:21:52.180 It was perhaps. 00:21:52.299 --> 00:21:53.299 The most difficult route. 00:21:53.420 --> 00:21:54.019 To Jerusalem. 00:21:54.480 --> 00:21:55.460 Because this valley. 00:21:55.460 --> 00:21:56.559 Would have been dry. 00:21:56.559 --> 00:21:57.799 In the autumn time. 00:21:57.899 --> 00:21:58.379 In the feast. 00:21:58.440 --> 00:21:59.200 Of tabernacles. 00:21:59.980 --> 00:22:00.659 And there was no. 00:22:00.799 --> 00:22:01.599 And there was danger. 00:22:01.740 --> 00:22:02.039 As well. 00:22:02.119 --> 00:22:02.619 Because it was. 00:22:02.740 --> 00:22:03.679 The closest route. 00:22:03.779 --> 00:22:04.980 To the Philistines. 00:22:05.720 --> 00:22:07.099 Israel's greatest enemy. 00:22:08.579 --> 00:22:09.700 But more than that. 00:22:09.759 --> 00:22:10.119 The word. 00:22:10.279 --> 00:22:10.679 Baca. 00:22:11.019 --> 00:22:12.039 Actually sounds like. 00:22:12.119 --> 00:22:12.899 The Hebrew word. 00:22:13.000 --> 00:22:13.619 For weeping. 00:22:14.359 --> 00:22:15.179 This is a valley. 00:22:15.179 --> 00:22:16.019 Of weeping. 00:22:16.779 --> 00:22:17.500 Some scholars. 00:22:17.500 --> 00:22:17.980 Suggest. 00:22:18.099 --> 00:22:19.419 Maybe the balsam trees. 00:22:19.599 --> 00:22:20.779 Wept their gum. 00:22:21.299 --> 00:22:22.419 And so there's a play. 00:22:22.639 --> 00:22:22.879 Here. 00:22:24.039 --> 00:22:24.899 As they go. 00:22:25.059 --> 00:22:25.700 Through the valley. 00:22:25.839 --> 00:22:26.480 Of Baca. 00:22:26.559 --> 00:22:27.339 Of weeping. 00:22:27.779 --> 00:22:28.779 They make it a place. 00:22:28.779 --> 00:22:29.480 Of springs. 00:22:30.099 --> 00:22:31.240 That's why Isaac Watts. 00:22:31.299 --> 00:22:32.179 And John Light's. 00:22:32.220 --> 00:22:32.919 Versions of. 00:22:33.519 --> 00:22:34.079 Psalm 84. 00:22:34.359 --> 00:22:35.539 Speak of the veil. 00:22:37.159 --> 00:22:38.359 V-A-L-E. 00:22:38.440 --> 00:22:39.839 The veil of tears. 00:22:40.960 --> 00:22:42.039 Yet the psalmist says. 00:22:42.119 --> 00:22:42.899 That those who go. 00:22:42.899 --> 00:22:44.779 Into this veil of tears. 00:22:44.960 --> 00:22:46.159 With their strength. 00:22:46.159 --> 00:22:47.259 Rooted in God. 00:22:47.359 --> 00:22:48.000 And pilgrimage. 00:22:48.359 --> 00:22:49.000 In their hearts. 00:22:49.700 --> 00:22:51.419 Can turn a dry place. 00:22:51.960 --> 00:22:52.779 Into a place. 00:22:52.879 --> 00:22:53.839 Of springs. 00:22:54.579 --> 00:22:55.279 In other words. 00:22:55.379 --> 00:22:56.480 They become a blessing. 00:22:56.480 --> 00:22:58.339 To those who journey. 00:22:58.339 --> 00:22:59.019 With them. 00:23:01.160 --> 00:23:02.660 I don't know if you've heard the saying. 00:23:02.740 --> 00:23:03.519 I'm sure you have. 00:23:03.860 --> 00:23:04.000 So. 00:23:04.880 --> 00:23:07.019 That those who are so heavenly minded. 00:23:07.200 --> 00:23:08.460 Are of no earthly use. 00:23:08.700 --> 00:23:10.000 You heard that saying. 00:23:10.259 --> 00:23:11.620 But I think it's a load of nonsense. 00:23:13.079 --> 00:23:15.460 I think those who are so heavenly minded. 00:23:15.460 --> 00:23:16.700 Are of great. 00:23:16.700 --> 00:23:17.980 Earthly use. 00:23:17.980 --> 00:23:21.940 Because they bring comfort to us. 00:23:22.279 --> 00:23:23.519 They point us. 00:23:23.519 --> 00:23:24.519 To heaven. 00:23:25.240 --> 00:23:26.720 In the midst of difficulties. 00:23:27.360 --> 00:23:29.099 Have you ever met someone like that? 00:23:30.240 --> 00:23:32.319 Whose life is so crippled. 00:23:32.960 --> 00:23:35.000 With different afflictions. 00:23:35.079 --> 00:23:35.720 In this life. 00:23:35.960 --> 00:23:37.259 That they point you. 00:23:37.740 --> 00:23:38.279 To heaven. 00:23:38.420 --> 00:23:39.220 They remind you. 00:23:39.319 --> 00:23:40.180 That this world. 00:23:40.460 --> 00:23:41.860 Is not our home. 00:23:41.859 --> 00:23:44.000 I have a friend. 00:23:44.000 --> 00:23:45.339 A young man. 00:23:45.539 --> 00:23:45.740 Who's. 00:23:46.240 --> 00:23:47.500 Had leukemia. 00:23:47.899 --> 00:23:48.799 He's now in. 00:23:49.579 --> 00:23:50.179 Remission. 00:23:50.959 --> 00:23:51.759 But his body. 00:23:51.879 --> 00:23:52.699 Is crippled. 00:23:52.899 --> 00:23:53.619 With the effects. 00:23:53.719 --> 00:23:54.459 Of the graft. 00:23:54.579 --> 00:23:55.419 Versus host. 00:23:55.819 --> 00:23:56.359 Disease. 00:23:56.479 --> 00:23:57.479 He takes a hundred. 00:23:57.659 --> 00:23:58.579 Tablets a day. 00:23:59.240 --> 00:23:59.919 His skin. 00:24:00.159 --> 00:24:00.819 Is broken. 00:24:01.579 --> 00:24:02.279 At this point. 00:24:02.339 --> 00:24:03.459 Never to be repaired. 00:24:03.460 --> 00:24:06.660 He's like a walking joke. 00:24:07.519 --> 00:24:08.700 When I meet with him. 00:24:09.140 --> 00:24:10.100 Or his parents. 00:24:10.259 --> 00:24:11.519 I always come away. 00:24:11.660 --> 00:24:12.880 Feeling refreshed. 00:24:13.840 --> 00:24:15.220 Because they have lifted. 00:24:15.220 --> 00:24:16.720 My eyes to heaven. 00:24:17.180 --> 00:24:18.019 At this point. 00:24:18.019 --> 00:24:18.559 In his life. 00:24:18.559 --> 00:24:19.600 There is no hope. 00:24:20.259 --> 00:24:21.920 For him to ever recover fully. 00:24:22.620 --> 00:24:23.740 His only hope. 00:24:24.519 --> 00:24:25.200 Is God. 00:24:26.660 --> 00:24:28.740 He has no strength in himself. 00:24:28.920 --> 00:24:30.319 But his strength in his God. 00:24:30.440 --> 00:24:30.779 And he. 00:24:31.940 --> 00:24:32.559 Longs. 00:24:32.559 --> 00:24:33.519 For heaven. 00:24:34.460 --> 00:24:35.619 He longs. 00:24:35.700 --> 00:24:37.119 For his resurrected body. 00:24:37.740 --> 00:24:38.379 His life. 00:24:38.619 --> 00:24:40.079 Has become a spring. 00:24:40.839 --> 00:24:41.559 To others. 00:24:42.039 --> 00:24:42.819 As they journey. 00:24:42.960 --> 00:24:43.839 Towards God. 00:24:44.720 --> 00:24:46.000 And that is where our lives. 00:24:46.079 --> 00:24:46.500 Are heading. 00:24:46.619 --> 00:24:47.139 Verse seven. 00:24:47.579 --> 00:24:48.159 They go. 00:24:48.359 --> 00:24:48.980 From strength. 00:24:48.980 --> 00:24:49.700 To strength. 00:24:49.859 --> 00:24:50.740 Each one appears. 00:24:50.859 --> 00:24:51.659 Before God. 00:24:52.079 --> 00:24:52.899 In Zion. 00:24:53.980 --> 00:24:54.619 You see that. 00:24:54.740 --> 00:24:55.079 Life. 00:24:55.279 --> 00:24:56.399 Is about journeying. 00:24:56.559 --> 00:24:57.200 Towards. 00:24:57.799 --> 00:24:58.319 God. 00:24:59.019 --> 00:24:59.859 That's what Jackie. 00:24:59.879 --> 00:25:00.579 And I have learned. 00:25:00.720 --> 00:25:01.759 With Layla's death. 00:25:01.759 --> 00:25:04.259 She got to go to God. 00:25:04.359 --> 00:25:04.779 Quickly. 00:25:05.779 --> 00:25:07.160 That's where we're all heading. 00:25:09.000 --> 00:25:09.740 It's interesting. 00:25:09.900 --> 00:25:11.180 In this second stanza. 00:25:11.400 --> 00:25:13.500 All mention of God's dwelling place. 00:25:13.500 --> 00:25:14.200 Is absent. 00:25:14.400 --> 00:25:14.859 You notice. 00:25:15.480 --> 00:25:17.059 All the talk of the temple. 00:25:17.220 --> 00:25:18.220 Now disappears. 00:25:19.039 --> 00:25:20.680 Now we're just focused. 00:25:20.680 --> 00:25:22.079 On God. 00:25:22.079 --> 00:25:23.059 On getting. 00:25:23.720 --> 00:25:24.359 To God. 00:25:24.359 --> 00:25:25.359 God. 00:25:25.359 --> 00:25:26.379 This is the destiny. 00:25:26.379 --> 00:25:28.259 Of our earthly pilgrimages. 00:25:29.139 --> 00:25:30.059 Not to a place. 00:25:30.899 --> 00:25:31.839 But to a person. 00:25:32.379 --> 00:25:33.059 To God. 00:25:33.859 --> 00:25:35.319 Which is what the psalmist. 00:25:35.519 --> 00:25:36.159 Prays for. 00:25:36.279 --> 00:25:37.159 In verse eight. 00:25:37.879 --> 00:25:39.059 O Lord of hosts. 00:25:40.139 --> 00:25:41.459 Hear my prayer. 00:25:42.159 --> 00:25:42.639 Give ear. 00:25:42.759 --> 00:25:43.619 O God of Jacob. 00:25:43.779 --> 00:25:44.579 What's his prayer? 00:25:45.099 --> 00:25:45.839 To get. 00:25:46.319 --> 00:25:47.139 To God. 00:25:47.140 --> 00:25:47.220 God. 00:25:48.740 --> 00:25:50.060 That he would appear. 00:25:50.060 --> 00:25:51.100 Before God. 00:25:51.740 --> 00:25:52.240 In Zion. 00:25:53.920 --> 00:25:55.380 That's the second thing. 00:25:55.480 --> 00:25:56.700 This psalmist shows us. 00:25:57.800 --> 00:25:58.900 A journeying. 00:25:59.140 --> 00:25:59.840 To God. 00:26:00.860 --> 00:26:01.620 He's shown us. 00:26:01.680 --> 00:26:02.860 A longing for God. 00:26:02.960 --> 00:26:04.180 A journeying to God. 00:26:04.180 --> 00:26:05.320 And third. 00:26:06.000 --> 00:26:06.720 A prayer. 00:26:07.340 --> 00:26:08.320 To reach God. 00:26:08.940 --> 00:26:09.660 A prayer. 00:26:10.220 --> 00:26:11.220 To reach God. 00:26:11.820 --> 00:26:13.220 Verses nine to twelve. 00:26:14.140 --> 00:26:15.380 Behold our shield. 00:26:15.460 --> 00:26:16.019 O God. 00:26:16.500 --> 00:26:17.400 Look on the face. 00:26:17.420 --> 00:26:18.220 Of your anointed. 00:26:18.960 --> 00:26:19.600 For a day. 00:26:19.680 --> 00:26:20.440 In your courts. 00:26:20.440 --> 00:26:21.039 Is better. 00:26:21.039 --> 00:26:21.840 Than a thousand. 00:26:22.039 --> 00:26:22.560 Elsewhere. 00:26:23.680 --> 00:26:24.539 I would rather. 00:26:24.640 --> 00:26:25.380 Be a doorkeeper. 00:26:25.519 --> 00:26:26.580 In the house of my God. 00:26:26.680 --> 00:26:27.060 Than dwell. 00:26:27.180 --> 00:26:27.660 In the tents. 00:26:27.740 --> 00:26:28.460 Of wickedness. 00:26:29.120 --> 00:26:29.980 For the Lord God. 00:26:30.080 --> 00:26:30.720 Is a sun. 00:26:30.820 --> 00:26:31.400 And shield. 00:26:31.940 --> 00:26:32.480 The Lord. 00:26:32.580 --> 00:26:33.060 Bestows. 00:26:33.279 --> 00:26:33.600 Favour. 00:26:33.740 --> 00:26:34.140 And honour. 00:26:34.759 --> 00:26:35.600 No good thing. 00:26:35.660 --> 00:26:36.440 Does he withhold. 00:26:36.640 --> 00:26:37.200 From those. 00:26:37.279 --> 00:26:37.759 Who walk. 00:26:38.160 --> 00:26:38.560 Uprightly. 00:26:39.200 --> 00:26:40.460 O Lord of hosts. 00:26:41.140 --> 00:26:42.259 Blessed is the one. 00:26:42.360 --> 00:26:43.060 Who trusts. 00:26:43.680 --> 00:26:44.340 In you. 00:26:45.700 --> 00:26:46.600 Now at first sight. 00:26:46.799 --> 00:26:47.279 Verse nine. 00:26:47.279 --> 00:26:48.720 Feels rather out of place. 00:26:48.720 --> 00:26:49.220 Doesn't it? 00:26:49.680 --> 00:26:50.220 Here we are. 00:26:50.340 --> 00:26:51.039 Talking about a. 00:26:51.259 --> 00:26:52.400 A longing for heaven. 00:26:52.600 --> 00:26:53.400 A longing for God. 00:26:53.480 --> 00:26:54.120 And all of a sudden. 00:26:54.279 --> 00:26:56.000 We're talking about a shield. 00:26:56.560 --> 00:26:57.700 And looking on the face. 00:26:57.700 --> 00:26:58.700 Of God's anointed. 00:26:59.519 --> 00:27:00.299 If you take out. 00:27:00.460 --> 00:27:01.320 Verse nine. 00:27:01.799 --> 00:27:02.400 Verse eight. 00:27:02.560 --> 00:27:03.000 Runs. 00:27:03.000 --> 00:27:04.200 Quite nicely. 00:27:04.200 --> 00:27:04.799 Into verse. 00:27:05.140 --> 00:27:05.460 Ten. 00:27:06.180 --> 00:27:06.619 O Lord. 00:27:06.740 --> 00:27:07.480 God of hosts. 00:27:07.599 --> 00:27:08.480 Hear my prayer. 00:27:09.059 --> 00:27:09.619 Give ear. 00:27:09.700 --> 00:27:10.660 O God of Jacob. 00:27:11.339 --> 00:27:11.819 For. 00:27:11.980 --> 00:27:13.440 A day in your courts. 00:27:13.579 --> 00:27:14.799 Is better than a thousand. 00:27:14.960 --> 00:27:15.579 Elsewhere. 00:27:16.579 --> 00:27:17.500 Do you see? 00:27:17.859 --> 00:27:18.720 So the question is. 00:27:18.720 --> 00:27:19.559 What's verse nine. 00:27:19.559 --> 00:27:20.240 What's verse nine doing here? 00:27:21.579 --> 00:27:22.100 Well. 00:27:22.559 --> 00:27:23.140 A shield. 00:27:23.400 --> 00:27:24.299 Is a metaphor. 00:27:24.299 --> 00:27:25.480 For God's king. 00:27:26.259 --> 00:27:26.660 Anointed. 00:27:26.980 --> 00:27:27.480 One. 00:27:27.640 --> 00:27:28.360 Is a title. 00:27:28.360 --> 00:27:29.519 For Israel's king. 00:27:29.799 --> 00:27:31.220 So here is a prayer. 00:27:32.059 --> 00:27:32.740 For God. 00:27:32.860 --> 00:27:34.039 To look with favor. 00:27:34.299 --> 00:27:34.759 Upon. 00:27:35.319 --> 00:27:35.980 His king. 00:27:38.460 --> 00:27:38.940 Now. 00:27:39.019 --> 00:27:40.039 Why is the psalmist. 00:27:40.039 --> 00:27:40.640 At this point. 00:27:40.740 --> 00:27:41.079 Praying. 00:27:41.180 --> 00:27:41.579 For God. 00:27:41.640 --> 00:27:42.519 To look with favor. 00:27:42.519 --> 00:27:42.920 Upon. 00:27:43.319 --> 00:27:43.759 His king. 00:27:43.759 --> 00:27:44.740 And what's that got to do. 00:27:44.799 --> 00:27:45.799 With getting to God. 00:27:45.900 --> 00:27:46.359 With getting. 00:27:46.740 --> 00:27:47.759 To God's place. 00:27:48.379 --> 00:27:48.640 Well. 00:27:49.059 --> 00:27:50.119 Quite a lot actually. 00:27:50.819 --> 00:27:52.000 Because the prosperity. 00:27:52.000 --> 00:27:53.079 Of God's people. 00:27:53.599 --> 00:27:54.440 And the protection. 00:27:54.599 --> 00:27:55.539 Of God's temple. 00:27:55.680 --> 00:27:56.160 In Zion. 00:27:56.539 --> 00:27:57.379 Was dependent. 00:27:58.099 --> 00:27:59.079 On the prosperity. 00:27:59.279 --> 00:28:00.099 Of God's king. 00:28:00.779 --> 00:28:01.420 If God's king. 00:28:01.500 --> 00:28:02.359 Was disobedient. 00:28:02.460 --> 00:28:03.440 Then God's curse. 00:28:03.599 --> 00:28:03.900 Fell. 00:28:03.960 --> 00:28:04.920 On king and people. 00:28:04.920 --> 00:28:06.539 And if God's curse. 00:28:06.680 --> 00:28:07.299 Fell on them. 00:28:07.759 --> 00:28:08.400 Then they became. 00:28:08.599 --> 00:28:09.039 Vulnerable. 00:28:09.039 --> 00:28:10.420 To surrounding nations. 00:28:11.259 --> 00:28:12.259 Just think ahead. 00:28:12.319 --> 00:28:13.019 To the exile. 00:28:13.379 --> 00:28:13.819 When Judah. 00:28:13.819 --> 00:28:14.659 Went into exile. 00:28:14.779 --> 00:28:15.279 It was because. 00:28:15.399 --> 00:28:16.279 Their kings. 00:28:16.500 --> 00:28:17.420 Fell into sin. 00:28:17.940 --> 00:28:18.420 And God. 00:28:18.519 --> 00:28:19.139 Brought down. 00:28:19.200 --> 00:28:20.039 His curse on them. 00:28:20.079 --> 00:28:20.779 And that curse. 00:28:21.279 --> 00:28:22.779 Resulted in the Babylonians. 00:28:22.779 --> 00:28:23.759 Coming to destroy. 00:28:23.759 --> 00:28:24.299 The temple. 00:28:24.960 --> 00:28:25.720 Which meant. 00:28:25.779 --> 00:28:26.460 That God's people. 00:28:26.460 --> 00:28:27.799 No longer had access. 00:28:28.500 --> 00:28:29.420 To God's house. 00:28:29.899 --> 00:28:30.519 They no longer. 00:28:30.519 --> 00:28:31.240 Had access. 00:28:31.420 --> 00:28:32.079 To God. 00:28:32.920 --> 00:28:34.159 Because of the failure. 00:28:34.799 --> 00:28:35.619 Of the king. 00:28:37.059 --> 00:28:37.920 And that's why. 00:28:38.000 --> 00:28:38.460 The psalmist. 00:28:38.619 --> 00:28:39.019 Pray. 00:28:39.039 --> 00:28:40.420 That God might. 00:28:40.539 --> 00:28:41.059 Behold. 00:28:41.200 --> 00:28:41.779 The king. 00:28:42.200 --> 00:28:42.920 And look with. 00:28:43.119 --> 00:28:43.480 Favour. 00:28:43.599 --> 00:28:44.259 On the face. 00:28:44.619 --> 00:28:45.920 Of his anointed king. 00:28:46.480 --> 00:28:47.519 Because he knows. 00:28:47.619 --> 00:28:48.379 That if the king. 00:28:48.519 --> 00:28:49.440 Doesn't prosper. 00:28:50.079 --> 00:28:51.539 Then there is no access. 00:28:51.539 --> 00:28:52.519 To the place. 00:28:52.519 --> 00:28:53.500 That he loves. 00:28:54.159 --> 00:28:55.039 If the king. 00:28:55.180 --> 00:28:56.180 Doesn't prosper. 00:28:56.659 --> 00:28:57.819 Then this psalmist. 00:28:57.819 --> 00:28:58.680 Has no access. 00:28:58.680 --> 00:28:59.740 To the God. 00:28:59.859 --> 00:29:00.480 He loves. 00:29:01.879 --> 00:29:02.500 We see that. 00:29:02.599 --> 00:29:03.440 In verse 10. 00:29:03.899 --> 00:29:04.519 And 11. 00:29:04.920 --> 00:29:05.759 Notice the two. 00:29:05.980 --> 00:29:06.740 Fours here. 00:29:07.220 --> 00:29:08.399 Behold our shield. 00:29:08.480 --> 00:29:08.899 O God. 00:29:08.900 --> 00:29:09.880 Look on the face. 00:29:09.880 --> 00:29:11.019 Of your anointed king. 00:29:11.420 --> 00:29:11.960 For. 00:29:12.160 --> 00:29:12.759 Because. 00:29:13.340 --> 00:29:14.660 A day in your courts. 00:29:14.660 --> 00:29:16.480 Is better than a thousand elsewhere. 00:29:17.080 --> 00:29:18.759 I would rather be a doorkeeper. 00:29:18.759 --> 00:29:20.100 In the house of my God. 00:29:20.100 --> 00:29:21.780 Than dwell in the tents. 00:29:21.900 --> 00:29:22.640 Of wickedness. 00:29:23.180 --> 00:29:23.580 For. 00:29:24.060 --> 00:29:25.000 The Lord God. 00:29:25.120 --> 00:29:26.380 Is a sun and shield. 00:29:26.519 --> 00:29:27.540 The Lord bestows. 00:29:27.740 --> 00:29:28.800 Favour and honour. 00:29:29.540 --> 00:29:30.440 No good thing. 00:29:30.440 --> 00:29:31.240 Does he withhold. 00:29:31.860 --> 00:29:32.519 From those. 00:29:32.640 --> 00:29:33.900 Who walk uprightly. 00:29:33.900 --> 00:29:35.100 See the logic. 00:29:35.820 --> 00:29:37.000 You want to get. 00:29:37.160 --> 00:29:38.160 To the courts. 00:29:38.780 --> 00:29:39.920 That are better. 00:29:40.540 --> 00:29:41.759 A day in the courts. 00:29:41.920 --> 00:29:42.360 That are better. 00:29:42.480 --> 00:29:43.500 Than a thousand elsewhere. 00:29:43.759 --> 00:29:44.600 You want to get. 00:29:44.680 --> 00:29:45.380 To the God. 00:29:45.460 --> 00:29:46.440 Who is a sun. 00:29:46.600 --> 00:29:47.360 And shield. 00:29:48.360 --> 00:29:49.360 Who is light. 00:29:49.460 --> 00:29:50.000 And life. 00:29:50.100 --> 00:29:50.660 And protection. 00:29:50.880 --> 00:29:51.560 You want to get. 00:29:51.560 --> 00:29:52.480 To that God. 00:29:53.160 --> 00:29:54.080 Then you need him. 00:29:54.160 --> 00:29:55.300 To look with favour. 00:29:55.300 --> 00:29:55.880 Upon. 00:29:56.240 --> 00:29:56.800 The king. 00:29:56.799 --> 00:29:59.359 Behold. 00:29:59.500 --> 00:30:00.220 Our shield. 00:30:00.319 --> 00:30:00.700 O God. 00:30:00.819 --> 00:30:01.779 Look on the face. 00:30:01.799 --> 00:30:02.500 Of your anointed. 00:30:02.980 --> 00:30:03.339 Because. 00:30:04.319 --> 00:30:05.119 We want to get. 00:30:05.220 --> 00:30:05.639 To you. 00:30:07.039 --> 00:30:08.000 We want you. 00:30:08.099 --> 00:30:08.480 God. 00:30:08.720 --> 00:30:09.859 And we can't have you. 00:30:09.919 --> 00:30:11.119 Unless you look with favour. 00:30:11.680 --> 00:30:12.559 On your king. 00:30:17.440 --> 00:30:18.519 Verse 11. 00:30:18.940 --> 00:30:19.480 Shows us. 00:30:19.619 --> 00:30:19.980 That if. 00:30:20.299 --> 00:30:21.000 God does. 00:30:21.099 --> 00:30:21.899 Look with favour. 00:30:21.899 --> 00:30:22.879 Upon his king. 00:30:23.480 --> 00:30:24.419 Then we get. 00:30:24.539 --> 00:30:25.119 To God. 00:30:25.740 --> 00:30:26.720 Who is a sun. 00:30:26.720 --> 00:30:27.339 And shield. 00:30:27.960 --> 00:30:28.720 Who bestows. 00:30:28.880 --> 00:30:29.740 Favour and honour. 00:30:30.940 --> 00:30:31.819 No good thing. 00:30:31.819 --> 00:30:32.640 Does he withhold. 00:30:32.839 --> 00:30:33.400 From those. 00:30:33.480 --> 00:30:34.000 Who walk. 00:30:34.700 --> 00:30:35.200 Uprightly. 00:30:35.680 --> 00:30:36.360 The question is. 00:30:36.440 --> 00:30:37.059 What are these. 00:30:37.440 --> 00:30:38.299 Good things. 00:30:38.420 --> 00:30:39.180 Or what is this. 00:30:39.319 --> 00:30:39.839 Good thing. 00:30:39.940 --> 00:30:40.660 That he does not. 00:30:40.779 --> 00:30:41.339 Withhold. 00:30:42.980 --> 00:30:43.819 A spouse. 00:30:45.079 --> 00:30:45.600 Children. 00:30:46.600 --> 00:30:47.600 Many children. 00:30:48.620 --> 00:30:49.579 Job promotion. 00:30:50.120 --> 00:30:50.920 The right house. 00:30:51.819 --> 00:30:52.819 All your children. 00:30:52.940 --> 00:30:53.600 Married off. 00:30:54.299 --> 00:30:54.860 Grandchildren. 00:30:54.859 --> 00:30:56.959 All of those things. 00:30:56.959 --> 00:30:57.839 Are good things. 00:30:58.039 --> 00:30:58.679 But I don't think. 00:30:58.740 --> 00:30:59.419 That's what's being. 00:30:59.519 --> 00:31:00.279 Promised here. 00:31:01.339 --> 00:31:02.079 The answer. 00:31:02.219 --> 00:31:02.419 I think. 00:31:02.479 --> 00:31:02.939 Is fine. 00:31:03.899 --> 00:31:04.659 In verse. 00:31:05.159 --> 00:31:06.219 10 and 11. 00:31:06.220 --> 00:31:09.539 For the Lord. 00:31:09.539 --> 00:31:11.620 Is a sun and shield. 00:31:12.900 --> 00:31:14.039 The good thing. 00:31:14.660 --> 00:31:15.819 Is being with God. 00:31:15.900 --> 00:31:16.799 In his courts. 00:31:17.680 --> 00:31:18.579 Verse 10. 00:31:18.700 --> 00:31:19.500 The good thing. 00:31:20.900 --> 00:31:22.500 That God does not withhold. 00:31:23.180 --> 00:31:24.019 Is himself. 00:31:25.360 --> 00:31:26.960 God does not withhold. 00:31:27.100 --> 00:31:27.600 Himself. 00:31:28.140 --> 00:31:28.600 From us. 00:31:28.599 --> 00:31:30.299 John Piper wrote a book. 00:31:30.299 --> 00:31:31.699 God is the gospel. 00:31:32.879 --> 00:31:34.359 God is the gospel. 00:31:34.599 --> 00:31:35.719 God is the good news. 00:31:35.980 --> 00:31:37.039 God gives you. 00:31:37.359 --> 00:31:37.919 Himself. 00:31:38.559 --> 00:31:39.339 In the gospel. 00:31:40.500 --> 00:31:41.759 The good news of the gospel. 00:31:41.959 --> 00:31:43.619 Is not that you get benefits. 00:31:44.079 --> 00:31:45.159 You do get benefits. 00:31:45.779 --> 00:31:47.119 The good news of the gospel. 00:31:47.359 --> 00:31:49.199 Is that you get the benefactor. 00:31:50.079 --> 00:31:51.379 And when you get him. 00:31:52.159 --> 00:31:53.599 Then you get all the benefits. 00:31:53.599 --> 00:31:56.019 But you can't have grace. 00:31:56.539 --> 00:31:57.459 And glory. 00:31:57.919 --> 00:31:59.079 And good things. 00:31:59.679 --> 00:32:01.839 Without the God of such things. 00:32:02.740 --> 00:32:03.240 Grace. 00:32:03.439 --> 00:32:03.740 Glory. 00:32:03.859 --> 00:32:04.599 And good things. 00:32:05.000 --> 00:32:06.439 Don't actually exist. 00:32:07.319 --> 00:32:08.099 Without God. 00:32:09.699 --> 00:32:11.059 God is the gospel. 00:32:12.219 --> 00:32:14.219 But we can only receive those things. 00:32:14.399 --> 00:32:15.480 Reach those things. 00:32:16.339 --> 00:32:17.500 Receive God. 00:32:17.859 --> 00:32:18.740 And those things. 00:32:19.679 --> 00:32:20.839 If he looks with favor. 00:32:20.839 --> 00:32:21.779 On the appeals. 00:32:22.099 --> 00:32:23.219 Of his anointed king. 00:32:23.599 --> 00:32:24.359 Which means. 00:32:24.519 --> 00:32:25.500 That for us Christians. 00:32:25.879 --> 00:32:26.599 We ask him. 00:32:26.699 --> 00:32:27.779 To look with favor. 00:32:28.579 --> 00:32:29.539 On King Jesus. 00:32:29.879 --> 00:32:31.319 He is the anointed king. 00:32:31.439 --> 00:32:32.659 Who makes appeals. 00:32:33.199 --> 00:32:33.719 To God. 00:32:33.779 --> 00:32:34.619 On our behalf. 00:32:35.119 --> 00:32:35.519 That's why. 00:32:35.619 --> 00:32:36.299 When we pray. 00:32:36.899 --> 00:32:38.339 For the sake of your son. 00:32:38.399 --> 00:32:39.759 Or in Jesus name. 00:32:40.659 --> 00:32:41.539 What we're praying. 00:32:41.679 --> 00:32:42.219 Is that God. 00:32:42.339 --> 00:32:43.399 Would look with favor. 00:32:44.099 --> 00:32:44.899 On Christ. 00:32:45.079 --> 00:32:45.799 So that we might. 00:32:46.099 --> 00:32:47.419 Might receive heaven. 00:32:48.179 --> 00:32:49.359 And the God of heaven. 00:32:49.359 --> 00:32:53.959 I started tonight. 00:32:53.959 --> 00:32:55.000 With two quotes. 00:32:55.000 --> 00:32:56.240 C.S. Lewis. 00:32:56.240 --> 00:32:56.299 C.S. Lewis. 00:32:56.960 --> 00:32:58.539 If I find in myself. 00:32:58.740 --> 00:32:59.279 Desires. 00:32:59.279 --> 00:33:00.680 Which nothing in this world. 00:33:00.680 --> 00:33:01.579 Can satisfy. 00:33:02.579 --> 00:33:04.559 The only logical explanation. 00:33:05.339 --> 00:33:06.119 Is that I was made. 00:33:06.279 --> 00:33:07.140 For another world. 00:33:08.220 --> 00:33:08.859 And Augustine. 00:33:09.339 --> 00:33:10.140 Oh God. 00:33:10.200 --> 00:33:11.480 You've made us for yourself. 00:33:11.680 --> 00:33:13.000 And our hearts are restless. 00:33:13.940 --> 00:33:15.160 Until they find. 00:33:15.839 --> 00:33:16.880 Their rest in you. 00:33:16.880 --> 00:33:19.340 And I want to finish. 00:33:19.460 --> 00:33:20.440 With a third quote. 00:33:21.360 --> 00:33:22.740 It's by John Calvin. 00:33:23.420 --> 00:33:23.760 He said. 00:33:23.940 --> 00:33:24.600 The Psalms. 00:33:24.920 --> 00:33:25.880 Are a mirror. 00:33:26.300 --> 00:33:27.580 To our souls. 00:33:28.440 --> 00:33:29.320 The Psalms. 00:33:29.400 --> 00:33:29.960 Are a mirror. 00:33:30.360 --> 00:33:31.520 To our souls. 00:33:31.780 --> 00:33:32.940 What does a mirror do? 00:33:33.500 --> 00:33:34.300 It reflects. 00:33:34.480 --> 00:33:35.840 Whatever you put in front of it. 00:33:36.360 --> 00:33:37.740 And when you put this Psalm. 00:33:37.840 --> 00:33:39.080 Up against yourself. 00:33:40.280 --> 00:33:41.380 Let me ask you. 00:33:41.480 --> 00:33:42.480 What does it reflect? 00:33:43.100 --> 00:33:44.140 If it is a mirror. 00:33:45.000 --> 00:33:46.680 What is your soul. 00:33:46.880 --> 00:33:47.840 Reflecting? 00:33:50.420 --> 00:33:50.920 Well. 00:33:51.140 --> 00:33:52.140 By God's grace. 00:33:52.300 --> 00:33:53.020 May this Psalm. 00:33:53.140 --> 00:33:53.400 Be. 00:33:54.160 --> 00:33:55.300 A recalibrator. 00:33:56.460 --> 00:33:57.560 May it show us. 00:33:57.640 --> 00:33:58.380 That the desires. 00:33:58.380 --> 00:33:59.320 Of our hearts. 00:33:59.960 --> 00:34:01.440 Ought to be for heaven. 00:34:02.500 --> 00:34:03.320 Ought to be. 00:34:03.460 --> 00:34:04.500 For the God of heaven. 00:34:05.720 --> 00:34:06.700 Because one thing. 00:34:06.760 --> 00:34:07.280 Is for sure. 00:34:07.360 --> 00:34:08.240 If we don't fix. 00:34:08.240 --> 00:34:09.019 Our desires. 00:34:09.340 --> 00:34:09.840 On God. 00:34:10.420 --> 00:34:11.920 Then we will live our lives. 00:34:11.960 --> 00:34:13.160 As restless people. 00:34:14.059 --> 00:34:14.960 We were made. 00:34:15.480 --> 00:34:16.559 For another world. 00:34:16.559 --> 00:34:18.239 We were made. 00:34:19.139 --> 00:34:20.179 For God. 00:34:25.820 --> 00:34:27.239 My soul longs. 00:34:27.320 --> 00:34:27.639 Yes. 00:34:28.019 --> 00:34:28.460 Faints. 00:34:28.699 --> 00:34:29.900 For the courts of the Lord. 00:34:30.480 --> 00:34:31.179 My heart. 00:34:31.420 --> 00:34:32.059 And my flesh. 00:34:32.219 --> 00:34:33.000 Sing for joy. 00:34:33.659 --> 00:34:34.960 To the living God. 00:34:36.159 --> 00:34:37.380 May God's spirit. 00:34:37.500 --> 00:34:38.400 Give us the grace. 00:34:38.840 --> 00:34:39.639 To sing love. 00:34:39.900 --> 00:34:39.639 To sing love. 00:34:40.160 --> 00:34:40.760 This evening. 00:34:40.760 --> 00:34:40.760 00:34:40.760 --> 00:34:40.760 00:34:40.760 --> 00:34:40.760 00:34:40.760 --> 00:34:40.760 00:34:40.760 --> 00:34:40.760 00:34:40.760 --> 00:34:40.760 00:34:40.760 --> 00:34:40.760 00:34:40.760 --> 00:34:40.760 00:34:40.760 --> 00:34:40.760 00:34:40.760 --> 00:34:40.760 00:34:40.760 --> 00:34:40.760 00:34:40.760 --> 00:34:40.760 00:34:40.760 --> 00:34:40.760 00:34:40.760 --> 00:34:40.760 00:34:40.760 --> 00:34:40.760 00:34:40.760 --> 00:34:40.760 00:34:40.760 --> 00:34:40.760 00:34:40.760 --> 00:34:40.760 00:34:40.760 --> 00:34:40.760 00:34:40.760 --> 00:34:40.760 00:34:40.760 --> 00:34:40.760 00:34:40.760 --> 00:34:40.760 00:34:40.760 --> 00:34:40.760 00:34:40.760 --> 00:34:40.760 00:34:40.760 --> 00:34:40.760 00:34:40.760 --> 00:34:40.760 00:34:40.760 --> 00:34:40.760 00:34:40.760 --> 00:34:40.760 00:34:40.760 --> 00:34:40.760 00:34:40.760 --> 00:34:40.760 00:34:40.760 --> 00:34:40.760 00:34:40.760 --> 00:34:40.760 00:34:40.760 --> 00:34:40.760 00:34:40.760 --> 00:34:40.760 00:34:40.760 --> 00:34:40.760 00:34:40.760 --> 00:34:40.760 00:34:40.760 --> 00:34:42.760 Amen.